(VOVworld) - U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter discussed with Japan’s Senior Vice Defense Minister Akinori Eto in Tokyo on Sunday issues of mutual concern including Pyongyang’s latest nuclear test and missile launches.

U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Japan’s Senior Vice Defense Minister Akinori Eto at the meeting in Tokyo (Photo: Reuters)

The meeting is part of Carter’s visit to Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Carter “affirmed the steadfast and enduring U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan”. They also discussed issues surrounding regional security in the Asia-Pacific, including the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan and the transfer of U.S. Navy from Japan's Okinawa military base to Guam under a strategy to rebalance its forces in Asia. In Seoul on Monday, Carter reiterated the US’ unbending commitment to supplying necessary military resources in the context of escalating tensions in the Korean peninsula.